In Partnership with:

Forum on Cultural Diplomacy in the Commonwealth 2014

"Celebrating Art and Culture in the Commonwealth as Key Features of Nation Branding"

London; October 15th - 17th, 2014Held Parallel to the BFI London Film Festival 2014

" The Soft Power of Culture"

A Lecture by The Hon. Dame Tessa Jowell, Former UK Minister for the Olympics

(Berlin; December 17th - 21st, 2013)

"Peacebuilding and Human Rights in the Global Development Partnership post-2015"

A Lecture by Lord Jack McConnell, Former First Minister of Scotland

(Berlin; March 5th - 7th, 2014)

"The Role of Cultural Links in the Government's Commercial Diplomacy Drive

A Lecture by Henry Bellingham, Member of the British Parliament

(London; July 10th - 12th, 2013)

"What is 'Official National Art' and What is Not?"

A lecture by Hywel Williams, Member of the British Parliament

(London; August 21st - 24th, 2013)

Introduction

In recent years nation branding has developed as a concept to help individual states promote their own national interests and identity in an increasingly globalised world. The Forum on Cultural Diplomacy in the Commonwealth will analyse the potential for the use of the arts in nation branding programmes for promoting trade, tourism and investment whilst also representing key features of the flourishing cultural identities.

The Commonwealth constitutes a global community where all members have an equal voice regardless of size and population. Such a community, with its shared values and history, is the ideal forum for fostering mutual understanding and cooperation through cultural exchange and open dialogue.

Forum Agenda

The Forum will include the participation of representatives from the public and private sectors responsible for nation branding, cultural diplomacy and foreign policy, as well as other key stakeholders in the field of culture and the arts. The speakers and participants of the Forum will have the chance to present their work and explore the potential of the arts in promoting cultural exchange and nation branding in Commonwealth countries.

The Forum will include a variety of keynote addresses, lectures and interactive workshops. The format of the conference will enable participants to present their own initiatives and ideas with the aim of fostering greater cross border cooperation in the fields of culture, the arts and nation branding. At the end of the Forum, the Institute for Cultural Diplomacy will publish a report based on the lectures, proposals and suggestions from all speakers and participants.

Forum Locations

The Forum is ased in a number of important political, historic, and cultural locations across London such as House of Lords.

Forum Speakers & Delegates

The Forum will bring together renowned authors, filmmakers, journalists and celebrated artists along with leading academics, politicians, diplomats, government officials and distinguished members of the ICD Advisory Board.

Participation in the conference is open to governmental & diplomatic officials, academics, artists, journalists, civil society practitioners, private sector representatives, young professionals and students as well as other interested individuals from across the world.

Certificate of Attendance

Participation in the conference is open to governmental & diplomatic officials, academics, artists, journalists, civil society practitioners, private sector representatives, young professionals and students as well as other interested individuals from across the world.

Certificate of Attendance - All conference participants will be awarded an official certificate of attendance upon completion of the programme, which will provide details of the speakers who took part and the topics discussed. Each certificate will be signed by members of the Conference Committee.

If you would like to reserve a position and participate in the conference, please click on the link below and fill out the online application form:

The Conference Committee encourages academic research and analysis of issues related to the goals of the Conference. The Conference Committee would therefore like to welcome the participants of the conference to submit a paper they would like to be considered for presentation at the conference as well as being included in the proposal document that will be issued following the conference and will be sent to all governments and leaders of the international community worldwide.

During the program participants will have a number of opportunities to network with one another, with the speakers, and with ICD Board Members and partners. Conference participants will become part of the ICD Alumni, a growing international network of people of diverse interests and backgrounds from around the world who share a commitment to intercultural exchange. Members of the ICD Alumni Group will benefit from the following opportunities: Alumni online forum, Advisory Board Networking, ICD support for individual Leadership Initiatives, free access to all ICD research, videos and photos as well as other event documentation. Participants will be able to remain in touch with each other through the ICD Networks. (more)